And the news will lift the spirits among those supporters fearful that Blues financial plight could hinder Hughton’s squad-building.

The club have stated that discussions with Stephen Carr and Colin Doyle, both of whom are out of contract, are ‘ongoing’.

While Jake Jervis has been offered a one-year extension to his contract, which is due to expire this summer.

But Caleb Folan and Cian Hughton, the manager’s son, have both been released at the end of their short-term deals.

The Blues careers of Enric Valles, Ashley Sammons and Luke Hubbins are also over as they have not been offered new terms.

Murphy began the season as back-up to the disaffected Liam Ridgewell.

He came in for Blues early Europa League games and the Carling Cup and performed impressively.

After Ridgewell got injured in November, Murphy got a run in the side and played so well that the position became his by right.

Ridgewell ended up being sold to Albion in January and Murphy went from strength to strength.

Noting himself that this was the fittest and strongest he has felt in his whole career, Murphy’s was arguably Blues most consistent player.

And he also found the knack of scoring crucial goals. There were seven in all, including the equaliser at Club Brugge, a late Boxing Day equaliser against West Ham United and a strike at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Murphy netted in three successive games in a vital period in March and April, helping Blues to an unbeaten nine-match run and play-off qualification.

Signed from Hibernian for £1.5 million in January 2008, Murphy has made 112 appearances for Blues.

Carr, 35, managed just two appearances since the end of December because of a knee injury, which eventually required minor surgery.

But on the evidence before he was sidelined, he would still have plenty left to offer Blues and there have been no indications that he wants to retire.

Doyle was used in Europe and the cups by Hughton but stepped forward when Boaz Myhill injured his thumb and was ruled out of the last four games and the play-offs.

What happens to Doyle will be intertwined with the futures Ben Foster and Myhill, plus Jack Butland’s likely elevation to compete for the number one jersey next season.

The exits of Folan and Hughton are no real surprise. Last with Colorado Rapids, Folan was signed as a free agent just before Blues were hit by a transfer embargo in March, to add depth to the options up front. He was a regular in match day squads but never made the 16.

Hughton, who had been training with Blues and playing for the reserves on a non-contract basis for several weeks, was also taken on permanently as cover and he was an unused substitute in the penultimate league game at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Jervis had good loan spells at Swindon Town and Preston North End this season.

Centre-half Jack Deaman has been given another six months at Blues and several starlets have been handed their first professional contracts.

Midfielder Fisayo Adarabioyo has a two-year deal while midfielder Callum Reilly - who made his senior debut as substitute in the FA Cup at Sheffield United - left-back Amari Bell and defender Graham Hutchison have one-year contracts.

Versatile full-back Mitch Hancox has also been given a six-month contract.